Dear friends and neighbors,

As the 2026 legislative session comes to a close, I want to share some recent highlights on how I continue to deliver results, and how it’s making a difference right here in the 28th Legislative District.

Since I last wrote, I have stayed focused on what I hear from you every day: safer communities, better commutes, and smart investments in our community. We finished moving bills between chambers as we approached Sine Die. The past weeks have been full of bill signings as well as wrapping up the session work. I’ll highlight some items below and more to come in the next emails as well as my session mailer to be sent out in the near future.

As the capital budgets were approved by the legislature, pending the Governor’s signature, I’m excited to share some various projects in the 28th that represent the broad range of district interests. Overall, this bipartisan capital budget reflects significant investments in housing, education and early learning, and flood response to our recent flood challenges that devastated neighbors and communities.

Local Projects Funded Through the Capital Budget

The capital budget allows us to invest directly in our communities, and I worked hard to ensure the 28th District sees meaningful returns.

This year, I toiled diligently to deliver funding for projects that support local jurisdictions and organizations. Here are some highlights (not exhaustive)

Critical Alameda Lighting Project in University Place ($500,000)
Fort Steilacoom Park Preservation in Lakewood ($206,000)
Hoffman Hill Reservoir Seismic Improvements in DuPont ($103,000)
Underground Wire Replacement Resiliency Project in Steilacoom ($550,000)
Lakewood Nourish Market and Connection Center in Lakewood $5,000,000)
Clover Park Technical College Training Facility ($15,000,000)
Curran House Oil Heater Replacement in University Place ($22,000)
Military Dept. Joint Force Readiness Center at Camp Murray ($6,000,000)

These are the kinds of investments that make a real difference in people’s daily lives and strengthen our communities for the future.

Further, below are some bills and recent activities I’d like to lift up and other activities that continue the focus of bringing results to the 28th and our State.

Signed by the Governor: Streamlining Higher Education Projects (HB 2353)

I was proud to partner with Rep. Keaton on a bipartisan bill to streamline design timelines for higher education and other state construction projects.

HB 2353 cuts unnecessary delays so we can save time and taxpayer dollars while delivering critical campus improvements faster for students and our community.

This is what good government looks like: working together to deliver smarter, more efficient solutions.

Amendment Highlight: Supporting Our Libraries

I was proud to introduce a bipartisan amendment during the Millionaires’ Tax vote to ensure public libraries, library districts, and library service centers are exempt from sales taxes on services.

Libraries are essential community spaces that connect people to knowledge, opportunity, and each other. This change helps reduce costs so they can continue serving our communities without added financial burden.

I’m grateful for the strong bipartisan support to protect and strengthen these vital resources.

Strengthening Protections for Children (SB 5105 / HB 1169)

This session, the House unanimously passed SB 5105, the Senate companion to my bill HB 1169, to strengthen Washington’s protections against sexual predators and close gaps in the law as technology evolves.

We developed this legislation in partnership with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, prosecutors, and frontline investigators to ensure it reflects the realities they are seeing and gives law enforcement stronger tools to hold offenders accountable.

This bill is about protecting children and supporting survivors. I’m grateful for the bipartisan support behind this effort and to Sen. Tina Orwall for her partnership. SB 5105 is now headed to the Governor’s desk.

Thank You

It was great connecting with so many of you this session—at town halls, community events, and at my office in Olympia. Your input guides this work every day. I’m also grateful to the many who took the time to call in or send emails on various matters throughout the session.

Some recent visitor highlights:

Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity – I am always so proud to partner with Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.

I’ve worked with them to secure millions in support for Pierce County, and they have built and are building affordable housing units right here in our district. Real partnerships, real homes, real impact.

Moms Demand Action – I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Moms Demand Action and hear directly about their priorities and the work they’re doing to help prevent gun violence in our communities.

Their advocacy, leadership, and commitment to public safety continue to make an important difference across our state. I’m grateful for the conversations we had and for their partnership in working toward safer communities for families, students, and neighbors throughout Washington.

Retired Public Employees – I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with our retired public employees and hear directly about the challenges many are facing as the cost of living continues to rise. These are the people who dedicated their careers to serving our communities, our schools, and our state, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness in retirement.

You earned these benefits through years of public service, and I believe you deserve the same cost-of-living adjustments and protections that help others keep up with rising everyday expenses.

Community Conversations

Even though session is ending, my work for you continues year-round. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll be holding community conversations all across the district.

Two upcoming community conversations:

Tuesday, April 14

12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Steilacoom Library meeting room
2950 Steilacoom Blvd.

Saturday, April 25

10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Anderson Island Historical Society
Archival Building, McGoldrick Library
9306 Otso Point Road, Anderson Island

I hope to see you there!

It is an honor to serve the 28th District and beyond I’ll always work hard and show up for our neighbors.

Representative Mari Leavitt